Selfless serviceman JJ Nicholson assured mourners “I will look out for each and every one of you” in a moving message penned before his tragic death.

The words were read out to the funeral service today at Kirkleatham Crematorium - packed inside and out with the family and friends of the much-loved Redcar man.

The service heard how JJ, named Jonjosiah after his great-grandad, grew up in Redcar and excelled in athletics, particularly running. As a child he “never gave anyone any trouble”.

It was college where he met his soulmate Sam and they were married at Grinkle Park Hotel in North Yorkshire in March 2016.

JJ joined the Royal Navy in 2011 and was a tactical submariner based at HMS Neptune, in Faslane near Glasgow. But his world was rocked two years later when he was diagnosed with a rare form of bone and soft tissue cancer.

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Close friend Robbie Davidson, among those paying tribute to the 26-year-old, spoke of his pal’s unrelenting courage throughout his illness.

“When I think of JJ a few words come to mind but the one that stands out most is ‘tough’,” he said.

JJ Nicholson with family members

“When I was first told JJ had passed away peacefully I knew that he must have been ready if it was peaceful. If it had been a battle or a struggle, he would have won it.”

In December last year, JJ went blind overnight. But his positivity was “unfailing” and “he never complained”, the service heard.

Robbie described his pal as “confident and charming” and “the life and soul of the party”.

“I remember, after lost his sight, going to the pub quiz and he would always delight in telling us he was going to win the picture quiz! He was still making jokes, that was JJ,” he said.

He urged mourners not to dwell on the tragedy of losing JJ.

JJ Nicholson

“It’s hard to understand why tragic things happen to such good people. It’s a question without an answer,” he said.

“We were all so lucky to have him in our lives.”

JJ’s best man Bobby Stephenson fought back tears as he spoke of his “strong, brave and inspirational” friend.

“We adored him and we loved him,” he said.

“He loved all of us and that’s an honour, I don’t think there are any words on earth to explain how much that means to us.

“We are exceptionally lucky people. He was completely selfless, genuine and the most gracious person I will ever know.”

In October, when JJ was very ill, he penned his moving and personal notes to his family and friends which were read out at the funeral.

The Funeral of Redcar Submariner JJ Nicholson (Image: Ian McIntyre)

He urged his mum and dad to stay strong and paid tribute to his “beautiful, caring” Sam, saying he would never have been able to have fought for as long as he did without her.

In a final message, he told the service: “I love every one of you. I will always be the brightest star in the sky looking down on you and looking out for each and every one of you.”

A tribute was recorded by his mum Debbie Foord and played to the service. It included a poem by Robert Munsch which describes how a mother’s love for her child never dies.

And she spoke of her relief that her son was no longer suffering.

“I know he’s out of pain and I know he can see again. That’s what I wanted for my boy, to be able to see again,” she said.

JJ’s coffin had been carried into the building draped in a Union Jack. And colleagues from the Royal Navy gave the gun salute to honour the serviceman and played the Last Post as his loved ones bid their final farewell.